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No Time for Ethics: How and When Time Pressure Leads to Abusive Supervisory Behavior

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  • Zhe Zhang

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

  • Xingze Jia

    (Xi’an Jiaotong University)

Abstract

We explore in this study whether, how, and when time pressure leads to abusive supervisory behavior. Based on the attentional focus model, we propose that time pressure impairs supervisors’ moral awareness, which increases their subsequent abusive supervisory behavior. We also propose that the trait mindfulness of supervisors mitigates the indirect effect of time pressure on abusive supervisory behavior through moral awareness. Based on an experiment conducted by using eye-tracking methods, Study 1 tests and provides support for the relationships between time pressure and moral awareness (N = 53). In Study 2, we test our full theoretical model through an experience sampling methodology for 10 workdays with data from 61 supervisors and their subordinates. Results revealed that time pressure had an indirect and positive effect on abusive supervisory behavior through the supervisors’ moral awareness. Such an indirect effect was stronger when the trait mindfulness of the supervisors was low rather than high. We conclude this research by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our findings as well as future research directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhe Zhang & Xingze Jia, 2023. "No Time for Ethics: How and When Time Pressure Leads to Abusive Supervisory Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(4), pages 807-825, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:188:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-023-05510-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-023-05510-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kubilay Gok & John J. Sumanth & William H. Bommer & Ozgur Demirtas & Aykut Arslan & Jared Eberhard & Ali Ihsan Ozdemir & Ahmet Yigit, 2017. "You May Not Reap What You Sow: How Employees’ Moral Awareness Minimizes Ethical Leadership’s Positive Impact on Workplace Deviance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 146(2), pages 257-277, December.
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    1. Wendelin Kuepers & David M. Wasieleski & Gunter Schumacher, 2023. "Temporality and Ethics: Timeliness of Ethical Perspectives on Temporality in Times of Crisis," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(4), pages 629-643, December.

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